Mother-of-three Mandy Fingerneissl is recovering after donating her kidney to younger sister Natalie Milham, giving her a chance to lead a normal life.

Natalie, 27, from Hillman Close, Lewes, was left fighting for her life at Easter when her one remaining kidney ruptured and had to be removed, leaving her facing a lifetime of dialysis.

It was a situation the Milham family had dreaded for years, ever since Natalie lost her first kidney at the age of 19 after developing tumours. She suffers from a condition called tuberous sclerosis.

When her other kidney also began to haemorrhage, older sisters Mandy and Lesley decided it was time for action.

Unlike parents Gwen and Dave and brother Nathan, both had a blood type compatible with their sister.

Unable to decide which would donate their kidney, the pair underwent a series of tests to allow the experts to determine which was more compatible.

Tests confirmed Mandy, 40, was the better match.

Mandy, from Isfield, said: "Lesley and I didn't give it any thought at all. It just had to be done.

"It could have been either of us, it was just a raffle I suppose you don't really want to win. I had a bit of a lump in my throat when I heard it was going to be me.

"But in my mind I knew I would be alright."

Their brother Nathan, 22, is brain damaged after suffering serious head injuries when he was knocked over crossing a road aged 17.

His parents care for him at their home in Hillman Close.

Mandy said: "We are very close as a family. It has been a horrendous five years for us but it's a case of chuck something else at us and we'll deal with it.

"I don't want to make it sound like we're the Waltons though! I'm sure anyone else in our situation would have done the same thing."

Mandy suffered a collapsed lung after the operation but is now on her way to making a full recovery.

Her grateful sister Natalie, who works at Clinton Cards, in Lewes, said: "I just think she's wonderful. She has given me a life.

"I've never really known what it's like to be normal but I've never felt as good as I do now.

"I have lots of energy, I can eat what I like and where I used to be able to drink only 500 millilitres a day, I now have to drink five to six litres.

"I'm going to do a training course in Zoology now, I've never had the confidence before."

Their mother Gwen Milham said the family had been through a lot together but had come out stronger.

She said: "I can't tell you how difficult it was for me when they where both taken away to the operating room. My heart was racing, I didn't know what to talk about. They were gone four or five hours altogether."

Wanting to give her daughters a boost after their surgery, Mrs Milham contacted television programme Do Us A Favour which offers viewers the chance to receive a favour in return for them doing a good deed.

Mrs Milham's offer to do voluntary work at Headway, Hurstwood Park - the head injuries unit in Newick attended by her son Nathan - was accepted.

In return, a hairdresser from Toni and Guy visited her home this week and gave Mandy and Natalie a new haircut.

Mrs Milham said: "It has given them a boost, it's a new start really. Headway are always looking for volunteers. They have done wonders for Nathan.

"He was in a coma for nearly a year and wasn't expected to be able to do anything, but now he stands and can talk to us.

"So many people are ready to knock hospitals, but after our experiences I am full of praise for them."